NABU announced a new suspicion in the case of corporate raiding and money laundering
NABU and SAPO have expanded the circle of suspects in the case of a criminal organization that, according to the investigation, is linked to corporate raiding, property fraud, and legalization of criminal proceeds. A new suspicion has been served on an influential businessman — a former deputy of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council of the 7th convocation.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau reported this on August 28. Officially, the agency does not name the new person involved. According to Ukrainian media and the Anti-Corruption Action Center, it is businessman Vasyl Astion.
According to the investigation, the leaders of the criminal organization — a current and a former MP — engaged the businessman because of his informal connections and influence in the judicial sphere.
NABU claims that the suspect ensured that commercial courts made decisions in favor of companies and individuals connected with the organization.
Assets worth 248 million UAH are involved
The investigation believes that with the businessman's participation, a corporate raid was carried out on two enterprises with combined assets worth 248 million UAH.
In addition, according to NABU, the suspect helped legalize funds obtained through crime. These funds were subsequently to be used to post bail for one of the members of another criminal organization featured in the Midas case.
NABU qualifies the actions of the new person involved under articles on criminal organization activities, unlawful seizure of enterprise property, and legalization of criminally obtained property.
The case is related to Operation Forrest Gump
On August 19, NABU and SAPO reported exposing a criminal organization that, according to the investigation, operated under the leadership of a current and former MP with the participation of high-ranking officials from the Office of the President and other individuals.
Investigators claim that the group attempted to seize control over expensive real estate and corporate assets by interfering with the information systems of the Ministry of Justice, forging court decisions and ownership documents.
Within the same investigation, NABU previously reported the legalization of 150 million UAH in cash through the accounts of controlled companies. According to the investigation, the funds were intended for posting bail for a suspect in the Midas case.
Ukrainian Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach earlier reported that the name "Vasya" appearing in NABU recordings may refer to Vasyl Astion. The businessman himself previously denied his involvement in collecting money for the bail.
The investigation is ongoing. In accordance with the law, a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a conviction of the court.
